Wednesday, November 9

From the Mail Bag

A dive in to the mail bag provides us with this question from loyal reader (and Iowa State blogger) Alex Ernst:

I was wondering your thoughts on this, but you guys tend to think Vince is unstoppable. Are there any defenses out there that you could see giving him trouble? I mean, just slowing down his running game. I was wondering after Iowa State completely shut down Smith and McNeal on the ground, if you thought they could hold Young somewhat in check and make him throw the ball more.

Hey Alex – thanks for the question. If you’re wondering whether a team can hold Young’s running in check and force him to throw, the answer is yes. After the first quarter, Ohio State did an excellent job of keying in on Vince Young and making him throw. But that’s the trouble Texas opponents’ have been facing this year. The guy can throw. Young is ranked third in the nation in passing efficiency and has become such a good passer that you really can’t afford to solely key in on stopping his runs. It’s a no-win situation.

Vince Young’s improvements in the passing game are the single biggest reason why Texas is a legitimate national title contender. The offense can beat you so many ways this year.

MLB plays QB spy. He has to stay in the middle of the field, don't blitz, and not miss any tackles when Vince runs up the middle.

OLBs have to dop into the flats in their third of the field. That way if/when Vince rolls out and wants to run (see 80-yard run vs. OSU) they are waiting. Don't jump when he pumpos, either.

The problem with this defense is that its open to running between the tackles, which Charles can do. Also, if the OLBs are dropping into zone, David Thomas is going to be open in the middle. Unless a safety takes him, which will leave man coverage on the outside.

AND since you're not blitzing, Vince will have all day to pass and find the man coverage.

Still, this is how I'd defend Texas. Make Vince throw downfield to a WR in man coverage.

This is exactly what Ohio State did and it would have worked had Vince not found Sweed beating man coverage in the end zone late in the 4Q.

To the USC fans out there: I hope your LBs are up to this challenge, becuase it's the only way I see to beat Vince (short of knocking him out of the game).

To beat the Texas offence, which is more than Vince young, you need to be able to play one on one with the recievers and win. Texas' offence weakest point, and it is not that weak, are its recievers if your corners are good enough to match up one on one, then you can use the rest of the D to stop the run and passing to the tight ends.